Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Prometric Practice Exam

A confused patient in a dementia unit who is frequently looking for lunch is at risk for which of the following?

1. Dehydration

2. Malnutrition

3. Elopement

4. Infection

The correct answer is: Elopement

In the context of a confused patient in a dementia unit frequently looking for lunch, the correct answer highlights the risk of elopement. Confusion and restlessness can lead a patient with dementia to seek food outside their designated safe area. This behavior may stem from their disorientation, prompting them to wander away in search of a meal, potentially resulting in elopement from the unit. Elopement is a significant concern in dementia care, as it can put patients at risk of injury or getting lost. This behavior is often driven by hunger cues or the desire for familiarity with past routines. In a secure unit, staff typically monitor residents to prevent wandering; however, a confused individual might still attempt to leave if they feel compelled by their immediate needs. The other options, while important to consider in patient care, are less directly related to the behavior described. For example, dehydration and malnutrition typically require more chronic issues rather than immediate responses to confusion over mealtime. Infection is also a concern, but it does not directly correlate with this specific scenario of searching for lunch.